By Karen Peattie

EMPLOYEES of a Scottish pizza oven company have cut their combined emissions by 22,310kg – the equivalent of driving around the world twice – since starting to use a carbon footprint measuring app developed by Edinburgh-based eco tech firm, Pawprint.

Diana Garland, joint chief executive of West Lothian-based Ooni Pizza Ovens, yesterday told the global TED Countdown Summit in Edinburgh about the “significant environmental sustainability efforts” Ooni employees have made using the Pawprint for Business app.

Speaking at the event, she outlined the Ooni brand’s sustainability strategy alongside the results of its “September Sprint,” a company-wide Pawprint initiative that encouraged employees to make behavioural changes to reduce their environmental impact.

“The Pawprint for Business app has enabled us to really embed sustainability and carbon-reduction efforts into the heart of company culture,” she added.

“Alongside our objective to be net zero by 2050 and support Scotland’s ambitious climate targets, we are also part of the SME Climate Commitment with the goal to halve greenhouse gas emissions before 2030."

Over 75% of Ooni’s team has already signed up to Pawprint and more “Sprints” are planned.

Founded by Ms Garland and her husband Kristian Tapaninaho in 2012, Ooni claims to be the world’s number one pizza oven company with its ovens giving users the ability to cook authentic, stone-baked pizza in just 60 seconds in any outdoor space.

The TED Countdown Summit was attended by leaders and politicians including New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Pawprint founder and chief executive Christian Arno said: “The Pawprint app works by helping every user measure, understand and ultimately reduce their carbon footprints by celebrating planet-friendly actions and encouraging these to become habits – securing sustained carbon savings.

“As a Pawprint for Business user, Ooni benefits from sentiment analysis tools and a personalised carbon data platform enabling them to support employees in their efforts and shape longer-term sustainability plans.

“Ooni is part of the new breed of businesses who put sustainability values at the core of their company culture.”

Pawprint for Business is used by over 20 businesses and organisations including abrdn, BrewDog, Peterson, Peter Vardy Motor Group, and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI).